US Official: Uniformed Men In Border Incident Weren’t Soldiers

MEXICO CITY (AP) – A US law enforcement official backs Mexico’s contention today that armed men in military-style uniforms who confronted Texas law officers were drug smugglers — not Mexican soldiers.

The scenario was put forth today in Mexico City by Ruben Aguilar, top spokesman for Mexican president Vicente Fox. A US law enforcement official confirmed Aguilar’s account — speaking on condition of anonymity because of the incident’s political sensitivity on both sides of the Rio Grande.

The official says the FBI and other agencies found no evidence the men in uniform were Mexican soldiers. Aguilar says both countries were investigating the incident. Law enforcement officials in Texas confronted armed traffickers near the Rio Grande on Monday near Fort Hancock, about 50 miles southeast of El Paso.

They say what looked like a Mexican military patrol assisted the marijuana smugglers as they escaped back into Mexico. No shots were fired .

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-01-25-06 1246EST